Oakville Arena's heritage will be saved in renovation

Oakville Arena

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Its heritage features will be protected as it is renovated and refurbished, with a new supporting structure on top of its existing roof.

“Residents are passionate about Oakville Arena — its place in the town’s history and its future in meeting Oakville’s facility needs,” said Mayor Rob Burton in a press release. “This is an excellent example of council and residents working together to enhance Oakville’s outstanding livability.”

Oakville Town council officially gave the project the green light Monday night (May 26) after reviewing Town staff recommendations. Councillors also unanimously supported designating the 64-year-old arena as a heritage structure under the Ontario Heritage Act.

The property at 133 Rebecca St. is currently listed as a non-designated property on the Oakville Heritage Register.

During public consultation in March, which included two public meetings at the arena, residents were asked to give their feedback on three design options that included renewing or replacing the facility. Many residents advocated maintaining and refurbishing the historic features of the arena while expanding the facility to be a community hub for fitness and social activities for all age.

“The direction from residents was really clear,” Nina de Vaal, director of Recreation and Culture for the Town of Oakville, said in a press release. “Preserve the heritage features, but make the arena and surrounding park facility better for future generations.”

Construction for the revitalized arena is expected to begin in 2017 and finish by fall 2018.

The existing roof, which is one of only four known surviving arenas in Ontario that have a Hipel truss roof system, will be protected with a new roof that will be constructed over it to eliminate the reliance on the current wood trusses for structural support.

Seating capacity from its current 1,100 seats will be reduced to 450 seats to be more in line with the community’s use.

The arena will also include a walking track, a gymnasium, a new seniors’ centre with a separate entrance and a National Hockey League (NHL)-sized ice surface of 85’ x 200’.

How the project will be funded will be determined when the Town undergoes its 2015 capital budget process.

In the meantime, council has asked staff to bring back a report on the cost of including an outdoor rink option, potential sponsorship options and modest exercise equipment.

For more information on the Oakville Arena Redevelopment project, visit www.oakville.ca/townhall/oakville-arena-redevelopment.html.